2024 IRONMAN™ World Championship Photo Essay

Capture time 05:57: Photographer Donald Miralle on Dig Me Beach after a gear check. Later, he would shoot the swimmers from below.

Capture time 06:14: The reigning IRONMAN Champion Sam Laidlow from France pondering the day ahead.

Capture time 06:23: Long-time swim course referee and waterman Michael McMichael keeps the professionals behind the starting line.

Capture time 06:25: Pro men swim start, this year from a boat right next to the swimmers.

Capture time 06:47: Sam Laidlow reached the turnaround boat in first, then dropped back, benefiting from the legal draft back to shore.

Capture time 08:26: Retired IRONMAN CEO Andrew Messick (60-64), after a successful swim. He would finish in 14:20:27.

Capture time 09:22: The formidable announcers Paul Kay and Robson Lindberg calling out athletes at the swim finish.

Capture time 11:11: Sam Laidlow enters T2 after having shattered the old bike course record with an astonishing 3:57:22 ride.

Capture time 12:08: Rudy von Berg (USA) running up Palani Hill. He finished third overall in 7:46:00.

Capture time 14:01: Patrick Lange of Germany worked himself up the field, caught Sam Laidlow, and won his third Kona race with a 47:09 swim, 4:06:22 bike and 2:37:34 run. His run and finish times are records. Congratulating him is IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue.

Capture time 14:01: Patrick’s finish a fraction of a second later. Note the cloud cover that persisted essentially throughout the day which contributed to a full 16 athletes breaking eight hours. In the background is Kailua Mayor Mitch Roth congratulating him.

Capture time 14:09: Patrick greets second place finisher Magnus Ditlev (7:43:39) from Virum-Denmark, both with record-breaking runs. Note the hand that guides the video photographer: Yes, they think of everything.

Capture time 14:54: Beau Jones (35-39) at T2. Swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles, your rewards are a kiss and to run a marathon.

Capture time 15:13: Eric Johnson (70-74) shows the delight of leaving T2.

Capture time 15:20: Michael Andreasen (PCID) of San Diego, CA about to drop his bike and enter T2 on the pier. Standing 140 cm tall, Michael has hypochondroplasia which did not stop him from finishing.

Capture time 16:01: Incredibly, there was a Team Tony supporting Tony Lavesson (55-59) from Sweden. I couldn’t resist this shot.

Capture time 16:14: Battling a coronary heart disease, former Boston Athletic Club race director and long-time marathon official Mike McGillivray (70-74) is just about to finish the bike. This would be his tenth finish in Kona.

Capture time 20:37: Brothers Brent & Kyle Pease from Atlanta, GA crossing the line.

Capture time 20:53: At 25 years old, Bill Monger of the UK finishes and thanks his support crew. His 14:23:56 beats the previous double amputee record by a more than two hours. That result is nothing short of astonishing.

Capture time 20:57: Ironman Foundation athlete Drake Tollenaar (54-59) showing perfect form at the finish.

Capture time 00:44: Fire dancers bringing this race to a close.

Capture time 00:44: "Kids, don’t try this at home."

Spiritual leader Ke’aloha at Sunday's Banquet of Champions.

Top ten on the podium, all under eight hours (one was missing).